Mario Piperni Shrugs

Atlas Shrugged 2 on DVD! Yeah!

I’m sure you’re all dying to watch the second installment of Ayn Rand’s epic tale of greed and selfishness, Atlas Shrugged, now that the movie has been released on DVD. Unfortunately, I missed Part 1 and for some reason I can’t figure out, I have no intention of watching Part 2. But we don’t have to all be as foolish as me; go out and rent the damn movie.

To help you along, here are a few choice reviews of the film via Rotten Tomatoes.

“The film’s excruciating unwatchability transcends politics; I can’t imagine even the most ardent Rand devotee genuinely enjoying the almost two hours this film will take away from their life. But for those of us who find her shrill “rational selfishness” to be a monstrous, downright immoral perspective on life – decent people, I like to call us – the film is literally unendurable.” –Tim Brayton

“If the novel Atlas Shrugged is ultimate libertarian porn, then the first two installments of the screen adaptation are soggy softcore.” –Todd McCarthy

It’s interesting to note that the film was released in theaters a few weeks before the November election date with the expressed aim of moving swing voters in the direction of Mitt Romney. The movie had a $10 million budget and by November 21, two weeks after the election, it had grossed the paltry sum (by movie standards) of $3.3 million.